The last time I saw ‘headmaster’, by Dejumo Lewis

One of the living legends of the Village Headmaster drama series, Mr. Dejumo Lewis, yesterday relived his last meeting with the late Justus Esiri.

Lewis, who was the traditional ruler in the series, described as sudden the death of the late Esiri.

“I’m very sad. I never knew his age, but when I learnt he died at 70, I felt pained the more. I consider that a premature death. And this is going to come out in my book. People live up to 100 years, even in Lagos where life appears stressful and difficult. Abiku ni won pe yen, (they call that premature death)” he said.

The actor said he saw the late Esiri last at the service of songs for the late Enebeli Elebuwa, another cast member of the Village Headmaster who died last December.

According to Lewis, the late Esiri behaved in an unusual manner at the event. He said the actor, after rendering a resounding tribute and emotional song, came to the front row where his colleagues were seated and shook hands with them, without uttering a word.

He said: “He came to the front row, shaking hands with everyone without saying a word. He would shake the first person with the right hand, hold him with the left and move to the next person. It was unusual. We were discussing other issues but he did not utter a word to anyone. It was very unlike him. I am sure others would have noticed that unusual action of much.”

Lewis appeared alarmed that anyone could die of diabetes. “I ask; should diabetes still be a killer in this age and time? There must be more to this, and certainly, it is not about old age. He didn’t tell me anything about his health condition. But I do know that it is only old age that is a natural killer; and this shouldn’t be until, at least, 90 years of age.”

He described the late Esiri as a highly professional artiste who matched his expectation when he needed to cast someone for the role of an headmaster in the Village Headmaster series.

Lewis said: “Justus was a highly remarkable professional and very versatile. I picked him in 1984, when I was recalled from my teaching job in Jos to revamp the old ‘Village Headmaster’. I’d no problems picking him. I had not been satisfied with the initial person that emerged, but when I met Esiri, I knew that was the ‘headmaster’ I wanted and he did not disappoint me.”

He said the death of Esiri was particularly painful at a time when they were planning on how to return the entertainment industry to the path of professionalism.

“We have been in the industry, trying to professionalise it. It’s been so loose and sectionalised. The industry ought to be well-coordinated. I find his passing away now very painful. He was a great resource to the country,”he said.